Rubin pull in Astafjevs
Monday, August 9, 2004
Article summary
Latvia captain Vitalijs Astafjevs has joined Russian UEFA Cup hopefuls FC Rubin Kazan on a free transfer.
Article body
Latvia captain Vitalijs Astafjevs has signed an 18-month contract with FC Rubin Kazan. The 33-year-old midfield player, who has won over 100 caps for Latvia, joined the Russian side on a free transfer.
Wacker move
Astafjevs played for VfB Admira Wacker Mödling in the Austrian Bundesliga last season, after spells in England with Bristol Rovers FC and with Skonto FC in Latvia.
Austria return
Astafjevs, who will be competing for a midfield place with Russian international Roman Sharonov and South Africa's Macbeth Sibaya, could make his debut as early as Thursday when, ironically, Rubin travel to Austria to take on SK Rapid Wien in the first leg of the UEFA Cup second qualifying round tie.
Helping hand
"We solved all the issues very quickly. I could see that the club wanted me on board, and I wanted to help the team in Europe and in the Russian league," said Astafjevs, who featured in all of Latvia's games at UEFA EUR0 2004™.
Roussel signing
Astafjevs is the second new arrival in as many weeks for Rubin who also strengthened their squad with the acquisition of Belgian forward Cédric Roussel from KRC Genk at the end of July. The Kazan club are ninth in the Russian Premier League after 18 matches.
